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Weekend Meteorologist WDAF-TV4 (FOX 4)

Explore a day in the life of Joe Lauria, a weekend meteorologist at WDAF-TV4 (FOX 4). From forecast preparation to on-air coverage, delve into the challenges and rewards faced by a meteorologist during severe weather events. Discover the logistical complexities, viewer pressures, and management dynamics driving the world of broadcast meteorology. Gain insights into the demanding yet vital role of providing timely and credible weather information to the public.

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Weekend Meteorologist WDAF-TV4 (FOX 4)

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Presentation Transcript

  1. JOE LAURIA Weekend Meteorologist WDAF-TV4 (FOX 4)

  2. An Average Day • FOX 4 Has 8 Hours Of News/Weekday… • 4.5 Hours/Weekend Day • Each :30 Minute segment has 1 long wxcast of 2:30-3:30+ and 1-2 shorter hits :30 secs+ • Bane of my existence…teases • Roughly 4-5 minutes of weather/30 minutes

  3. Rundown • Have an idea of what’s going on before you arrive at the station • Forecast Prep: :15 min-:60 min…longer when active • Hit the graphics…how do you present your thoughts…for me it takes the most time by far • Some are automatic (computer prepared) Radar/satellite/autoplots/almanac pages

  4. Rundown • Phone calls (dozens/no wx center voicemail) • Emails (personal & team) 15-50/day requesting specific forecasts/information/wx watchers • Internet forecasts • Internet video forecasts • Blogs(!) • 24/7 weather channel cut-ins

  5. My Biggest Issues • Losing track of time…research of data takes time away from other things…then creating the graphics to support something different • Teases(!)-I hate them…viewers hate them (biggest complaint)…management hopes that it keeps viewers watching an extra 5-10 minutes.

  6. Severe Weather Day • Requires even more forecast preparation and then nowcasting • Phone calls and emails multiply • More interaction with the newsroom • On Air-longer wxcasts and more wx inserts • Can’t trim from graphics because of event timing issues or possible busts

  7. During an actual event • Magnitude dictates staffing • More warnings expected=more meteorologists • If tornadic=all hands on deck

  8. Severe Logistics • Everybody wants to know where to go • We work with about 12+ chasers…are they active via email/phone call? What’s the target? Do we nowcast for them or are they doing it • Our own reporters/photogs turn to spotters/chasers. They need directions to be ahead of the storms and damage reports to get video back to the station.

  9. Severe Logistics • SKYFOX Routing. We advise them on storms of interest and best route back to airport • Monitor NWS chats/info/mesoscale & nowcast discussions/MERS • Phones don’t stop ringing(!) • Calling various communities for reports

  10. One more thing… • YOU’RE ON THE AIR AT THE SAME TIME

  11. Live TV • EVERYTHING is spontaneous and live! • Jumping from one meteorologist to another that has additional information • Phoners with EM’s/city officials/visuals/live pics/SKYPE video/and about 5 other things that I can’t think of. • Chaotic at best. Planning helps. Rogue Tornado makes my job the most stressful

  12. WHY? • SAVE LIVES • Give Viewers credible, concise and timely information!

  13. Pressures We Face • Balancing coverage and programming… • Advance the story. Is the event still unfolding…have the storms weakened. Am I saying the same thing over and over • Is it better to block out the program entirely or constantly interrupt it? • Each event is different • Most immediate viewer response is negative

  14. Pressures We Face • We’re not making money • No local commercials in continuous coverage • Initial reaction: Why do I care about a tornado in X when I live in Y? Can you please put COPS on again! • My favorite: “You interrupted my show X and ruined my night. I’ll never watch you, your program, or your station again. I hate you!

  15. Management • Weather drives the local news. • Our management is hands off. We do what we need to do…when we need to do it. • Be reasonable…consider the viewers and the situation…think about the show that’s on. Is it “American Dad” or “American Idol” with local David Cook • Are we perfect? NO!

  16. Goals Of The Seminar • Improve the conduit of weather information especially severe weather information. • Learn about the pressures you are under so that when we wonder why does this happen…we have a better understanding. • Establish new relationships with you. TV is still for the masses.

  17. Any Questions • Joe Lauria • (816) 932-9186 (direct into the wx center) • Joe.lauria@wdaftv4.com • Myfoxkc.com (soon to change) • fox4kc.com

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